10. Giving oral rehydration solution (ORS)
10. Giving oral rehydration solution (ORS)
Last update: 2022-09-14
Overview
-
Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the first step in treating people who are suffering from diarrhoea and dehydration.
- If a patient has no signs of dehydration or signs of mild dehydration (see Action tool Assessment of dehydration), he or she can be treated at home.
For NO signs of dehydration
- Demonstrate how to prepare and give ORS.
- The caregiver should give the amount of ORS indicated in the table below.
| Age | Amount of ORS after each loose stool | ORS packets needed |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 24 months | 50-100 ml (¼ – ½ cup) | 1 packet/day |
| 2-9 years | 100–200 ml (½ – 1 cup) | 1 packet/day |
| 10 years or more | As much as wanted | 1 packet/day |
Where there are SOME signs of dehydration
- Give the recommended amount of ORS (measure against either the patient’s age or weight).
- If the patient passes watery stools or wants more ORS than shown in the table above, give more.
- If the patient does not improve or some of the signs of severe dehydration appear, refer the patient to a health facility (see Action tool Referral to health facilities).
| Age | Less than 4 months | 4-11 months | 12-23 months | 2-4 years | 5-14 years | 15 years or older |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Less than 5 kg | 5-7.9 kg | 8-10.9 kg | 11-15.9 kg | 16-22.9 kg | 30 kg or more |
| Oral solution in ml | 200-400 (1-2 cups) | 400-600 (2-3 cups) | 600-800 (3-4 cups) | 800-1200 (4-6 cups) | 1200-2200 (6-11 cups) |
2200-4000 (11-20 cups) |
How to give ORS
It is important to teach mothers and caregivers to administer ORS to children correctly, to help the child get better and prevent the epidemic from spreading.
- To a child that is under two years of age, give one teaspoonful every one to two minutes.
- To an older child, give frequent sips from a cup.
- If the child vomits, wait 10 minutes and then offer the solution again, more slowly.
- If diarrhoea continues after the ORS packets are used up, give home remedies until you get more ORS packets.
- Give the child as much clean water as he or she can drink.
- Continue to assess dehydration and refer the child to a clinic if he or she gets worse or does not improve after a few hours.
Giving ORS to a child and to an adult